Azerbaijani singer and composer Muslim
Magomayev (August 17, 1942-October 25, 2008), one of the most
famous pop stars of the former Soviet Union, recently celebrated
his 60th Jubilee in Baku. Muslim Magomayev represents one of
the most respected artistic dynasties in Azerbaijan. His grandfather
Muslim Magomayev (1885-1937), a friend and contemporary of Uzeyir
Hajibeyov (1885-1948), was one of the founders of Azerbaijani
composed music. Magomayev's father, Mahammad Magomayev, who died
during World War II, was a gifted painter.

Muslim became famous as an opera singer with Rossini's "Barber
of Seville". He also became known for his arias from Puccini's
"Tosca", Hajibeyov's "Koroghlu" and "Shah
Ismayil", which was composed by his grandfather.Then the
singer turned to popular music, becoming a pop idol for several
generations of music lovers in the Soviet Union.
Photos: Muslim Magomayev,
a well-known Azerbaijani pop singer who resides in Moscow, was
honored on his 60th birthday with a Jubilee celebration in Baku.
On September 6, 2002, in honor of Magomayev's 60th Jubilee, President
Heydar Aliyev awarded him the Medal of Istiglal (Independence),
the country's highest honor. Photos by Rafig Baghirov, President's
photographer.

Then the singer turned to popular music,
becoming a pop idol for several generations of music lovers in
the Soviet Union. At the very young age of 31, he was awarded
the Soviet Union's highest artistic title - People's Artist of
the USSR.

In 1997, in recognition of Magomayev's professional successes,
a Russian astronomical society named two stars in honor of him
and his wife, Tamara Sinyavskaya (1943-), a prominent Russian
opera singer who was also awarded People's Artist of the Soviet
Union and worked as a soloist at the Bolshoi Theater.

Magomayev has been living and working in Moscow since the early
1970s. He maintains permanent ties with the artistic world in
Azerbaijan and participates in important musical events in Baku.
One of the songs that he is most famous for is "Azerbaijan",
which he composed and performed all over the world.

On September 6, 2002, in honor of Magomayev's 60th Jubilee, President
Heydar Aliyev awarded him the Medal of Istiglal (Independence),
the country's highest honor. During the award ceremony at the
President's Residence in Baku, Aliyev declared that he was a
great admirer and supporter of Magomayev's talent. He also marked
the significant contribution that Magomayev has made to the development
of musical life in Azerbaijan and the Soviet Union.

President Aliyev also delivered a speech at the gala celebration
held September 7 at the Respublica Palace. He recalled many humorous
anecdotes that happened to the two of them throughout the the
past 35 years.

The musical tribute to Magomayev included performances by Azeri
musicians such as Fidan and Khuraman Gasimova, Lutfiyar Imanov,
Azer Zeynalov and Rashida Behbudova. These opera singers were
accompanied by the State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rauf
Abdullayev. Pianist Chingiz Sadikhov, who had accompanied Magomayev
between 1964 and 1971, traveled to Baku from San Francisco specifically
for the occasion (see article about Sadikhov in this issue).
The gala also featured performances by Iosif Kobzon and Lion
Izmailov (Russia), Mariya Biyeshu (Moldova), Dmitri Gnatyuk and
Mariya Stefchuk (Ukraine) and Nani Bregvadze (Georgia).

Magomayev received letters of congratulation from several presidents,
including Vladimir Putin (Russia), Leonid Kuchma (Ukraine), Eduard
Shevardnadze (Georgia) and Mintimer Shaimiev (Tatarstan). President
Putin's decision to award Muslim Magomayev the Medal of Slava
(Glory) was also announced at the celebration. The audience enjoyed
a slide-show of photographs reflecting the various stages of
Magomayev's life and career. They also watched videos of his
early performances and scenes from the movie "Nizami",
in which Magomayev played a leading role.

Magomayev's Jubilee was also marked at Baku Music Academy, his
alma mater. On September 5, at a conference devoted to Magomayev's
life and career, Rector Farhad Badalbeyli, Vice Rector Gulnaz
Abdullazade, composers Vasif Adigozal and Azer Rezayev, singer
Lutfiyar Imanov, musicologist Elmira Abbasova and others drew
their attention to Magomayev's vocal performing style in the
fields of opera and popular music, his lyrical and patriotic
songs, as well as his books "Great Lantsa" and "Melody,
My Love".

On September 9, at an extended session of the Research Council
of the Baku Music Academy, Muslim Magomayev was awarded the title
of Honorary Professor. The concert held at the Museum of Art
before the event included performances by young artists, Baku
Music Academy faculty member Farida Mammadova (vocal) and international
contest piano laureates Murad Adigozalzade [2002 Tchaikovsky
Piano Competition], Murad Huseinov [2002 Francis Poulenc Piano
Competition] and Ali Asgarov [Grand Prix, Bulbul International
Vocal Competition].

During the jubilee activities, Muslim Magomayev expressed his
sincere gratitude to Azerbaijan, President Aliyev and all his
friends and colleagues who had contributed to making these events
possible.
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